Identification nest for domestic fowl



Jan. 26, 1937. P. D. DALMEIDA IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Filed Sept. 29, 1 933 l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 fnvenlor: P/r/[emon Duar/eflH/mekla Jan. 26, 1937 P. D. DALMEIDA 2,068,642

. IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Filed Sept. 29, 1953 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: Philem on Duarfe DAlmeida I AHOrney Jan. 26, 1937. P. D. DALMEIDK 2,068,642

IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Filed Sept. 29, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 In ve ntor: Philemon flua rteDH/mez'da MM D- GZ W firm/76 Jan. 26, 1937. P. D. DALMEIDA 2,068,642

IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Filed Sept. 29 1933 10 Sheets-Shet 4 Jan. 26, 1937. p DALMEIDA 2,068,642

IDENTIFICATIQN NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Filed Sept. 29, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Phi/emon .Dua rfeDW/me/h a y Mama @Mm, flffomey Jan. 26, 1937. P. D. DALMEIDA IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Filed Sept. 29, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Inventor: Philemon Duarle Zfllmeida Jan. 26, 1937. Q DALMEIDA 2,068,642

IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Filed Sept. 29, 1933 Sheets-Sheet 7 In vemor: Philemon .Duarle Dmmez aa Jan. 26, 1937. P, D DALME DA 2,068,642

IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Filed Sept. 29, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 fig:

[Wen/0r: Philemon DuarfeF/Hmezaa y WM fiffomey Jan. 26, 1937. P. D. D'ALMEIDA 2,068,642

IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Filed Sept. 29, 1953 10 sheets-sheet 1o I n ven for P/lilemon Dua-rze Dfl/meida I MW flffarney Patented Jan. 26, 1937 UNETED STATES IDENTIFICATION NEST FOR DOMESTIC FOWL Philemon Duarte dAlmeida, Geneva, Switzerland 14 Claims.

This invention relates to identification nests for domestic fowls, such as are used in poultry farms for selecting the laying hens, ducks, turkeys, geese or other fowls, and particularly to such types of apparatus comprising a nest chamber and a passageway leading to the nest chamber and containing a recording band cooperating with a stamp carried by the fowl for marking a distinguishing sign, corresponding to the identification mark of the fowl, upon this latter traversing the passageway.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the mentioned type which is arranged so that recording of a fowl can occur only when the bird leaves the nest and only when the leaving bird has laid an egg.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the combination and arrangements of parts as fully described in the following specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, which are partly diagrammatic in character;

Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatical sectional view through an identification nest according to the invention. This view is taken on the line |l of Fig. 2.

Figure 2 is a section along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the recording device drawn to a larger scale, and taken also on the line l---! of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a plan of the recording device seen from below. This view is taken in section on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the passage leading to the nest chamber.

Figure 6 shows in elevation and diagrammatically a part of the mechanism actuating the recording device.

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on the line l'l of Fig. 6 and showing part of the actuating mechanism for the recording device in elevation.

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6 and showing a latching device in perspective.

50 Figure 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6 and showing a bracket support in perspective.

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on the line IUI0 of Fig. 11 and showing ratchet mechanism in elevation.

Figure 11 is a vertical detail section taken on the line H-H of Fig. 10.

Figures 12 and 13 are an elevation, and a plan, respectively of a member of the actuating mechanism for the recording device.

Figure 14 is a view analogous to that shown in Fig. 6, but showing the parts in another position of operation.

Figure 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line !5l5 of Fig. 1 and showing in detail part of the actuating mechanism.

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic front view of the apparatus.

Figure 17 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line lil'i of Fig. 18. These views illustrate the structure of a printing device carried on the back of a hen, as seen in Fig. 25.

Figure 18 is a plan view of the structure shown in Mg. 17.

Figure 19 is an elevational View of a metal strap or saddle member which is fixed to the bottom of said device.

Figure 20, taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 21, is a vertical section at View of the printing device.

Figure 21 is a partial rear elevational view of the said device, some of the parts being omitted.

Figure 22 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 20.

Figure 23 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2323 of Fig. 21.

Figure 24. is a section analogous to that of Fig. 23 but showing the printing member in another position of operation.

Figure 25 shows the printing member placed on the back of a hen.

Figure 26 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing a diiierent form of closure-operating means.

Figures 27 to 35 concern a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 27 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. l, but taken through an identification nest according to this second embodiment.

Figure 28 is a partial plan view of the actuating mechanism of the recording device, some of the parts being broken away or omitted.

Figure 29 is a fragmentary front elevation of the apparatus.

Figure 30 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 3B30 of Fig. 27 and showing the locking means for the doors opening or closing the entrance into the passage.

Figure 31 is a vertical section taken on the vice.

Figure 35 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 35-35 of Fig. 34 and showing a portion of this modification.

Figures 36 to 45 concern a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 36 is a fragmentary semi-diagrammatic sectional view partly in elevation and showing the apparatus according to the third embodiment. This view is taken on the line 36-36 of Fi 37.

Figure 37 is a plan of the recording device and of a part of its operating means.

Figure 38 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 38-38 of Fig. 36 and showing the floor of the passage leading to the nest and a part of the operating means of the opening and closing device of the passage.

Figure 39 is a vertical section taken on the line 36-39 of Fig. 36 and showing a part of the recording device in elevation.

Figure 40 is a detail view showing in vertical section a fragment of the structure illustrated as in Fig. 39.

Figure 41 is a detail view also showing in Vertical section a fragment of the structure illustrated in Fig. 39.

Figure 42 is a vertical sectional detail view taken on the line 42-62 of Fig. 36.

Figure 43 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 43-63 of Fig. 44.

Figure 44 is a horizontal section taken on the line 36-64 of Fig. 36, and showing in detail part of the operating mechanism for the recording device; and

Figure 45 is a vertical sectional detail view taken on the line 45-65 of Fig. 36.

The apparatus represented more particularly in Figs. 1 to 16 comprises a frame 5 preferably made of sheet steel. This frame carries a nest chamber I provided. with an opening 2 in its bottom through which falls the egg laid by the hen in the nest. The nest chamber is also provided with a few slots 3 for ventilation and illumination and with a sliding door 4 serving for inspection and cleaning. On the top the nest chamber is closed by the top wall of the frame.

In the frame 5 is formed a passage leading to the nest chamber. This passage comprises a floor 6 having lateral flanges l and 6 provided each with a hole 9 and I6, respectively, into which engages rods ii and i2, respectively (Fig. 5). These two rods are carried by the lateral walls l3 and it of the frame, which are provided for this purpose with two series of holes i5 (Fig. 1) disposed at different heights to be able to vary the height of the fioor of the passage by introducing the rods l l and 32 into one or the other of these holes. The passage comprises moreover two lateral walls l6 and l? in each of which are journaled two screws l8 screwing into the frame. By turning these screws, it is possible to approach the two walls towards each other or to move them away from each other for the purpose of decreasing or increasing the width of the passage.

The passage leading to the nest chamber is closed on the topby a. casing l9 containing the members of the recording device for registering the hen which has laid an egg '(Fig. 3). This casing comprises a compartment 26 in which a shaft 2! carrying a paper roll 22 is rotatably mounted on two brackets 20a. The paperband 23 is guided by a roller 24, traverses a slot 249., passes underneath a plate 25, then traverses a slot 253. to pass into the compartment 261 between the rollers 26 and the driving cylinder 2?, whereafter it passes through the slot 2% into the compartment 28. A lateral door 19a (Fig. 16) permits inspection of the interior of the three compartments 20, 25a and 28.

Below the plate 25 the paper band will be marked by the printing roller carried by the hen, as will be described later, after the hen has laid an egg and leaves the nest. A lid 29 can slide along the horizontal rails 30 carried by the casing [9, by means of rollers 3 i. A horizontal rack 32(Fig. 4) is carried by the lid 29 and meshes with a pinion 33 (Fig. 1) carried by the frame 5. This rack is fixed to the lid 29 by means of rods 32a traversing a slot 3% provided in the lateral wall of the casing it. When the wheel 33 is made to rotate,

in the manner as will be described later, the lid 29 moves along the rails 30 in order to occupy either the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 or that shown in dotted lines in which it covers the portion of the paper band which is exposed beneath the plate 25.

The driving cylinder 27 for the recording paper is preferably made of rubber. It is mounted on a shaft 36 turning in brackets as 261,, and Figs. 3 and 11; this cylinder is connected to the shaft by a device permitting it to turn in one direction only. For this purpose a toothed wheel 35 and ratchet wheel 36 are keyed to the shaft 34, the ratchet 36 cooperatng with a pawl 3'! (Fig. 10) pivoted as shown, on a metal support 38 of the rubber roller 21. A spring 39 ensures the contact of the pawl 37 with its ratchet. When the shaft 36 turns in the direction of the arrow 7, the ratchet acts on the pawl to communicate the rotation of the shaft to the roller 21 which in turn acts on the paper band to unroll it for a certain amount from the paper roll 22. When the ratchet turns in opposite direction, the pawl slides over the teeth thereof and the roller2l is held against rotation by a ratchet wheel 21a fixed to the support 38 and cooperating with a pawl 27;, carried by one of the brackets 26b.

The attachment of the pawl 21b to the bracket, as 26f, may be the same as the attachment of the pawl 37 to the support 28, but for this purpose said bracket may be constructed wider or with an extension, not shown. In orderto have the paper band always well tensioned, the paper roll 22 is subjected to the action of a braking device 40 (Fig. 3) so that the driving roller 21 has to overcome a certain resistance for advancing the paper.

The described members of the recording device 7 are actuated by the following mechanism: At the entrance of the passage leading to the nest there is disposed a perch M on which the hen is forced to sit when going into the nest. This perch is carried by two levers 62 pivoted on a rod 43 traversing the walls I? and M of the frame 5. The weight of the levers 42 is distributed so that their arms 429. are heavier than the arms 42b and.

the perch, these levers having thus the tendency 4 to turn in the direction of the arrow 2' (Fig. 6).

A pin 42c maintains them in substantially horizontal position.

An arm 4 5 is pivoted on the rod 13 (Fig. 6). This arm is provided with two toothed segments 55 and 4 6. The segment 15 meshes with the wheel 33 and the segment t6 wth the wheel 35. The arm M is also provided with two projecting fingers 47 and d3, of which the one, 438, carries a pin 56 and has its free end formed with an inclined surface 482.. In its normal position of rest, the arm 44 is supported by one of the levers 452 by the intermediary of the pin 59, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6.

In one of the walls of the frame 5 are pivoted a latch 5i and a supporting bracket 52 (Figs. 8 and 9). The latch 5i is connected by means of a rod to lever 53 the weight of which tends to turn the latch in the direction of the arrow 9. A pin 53a limits the movement of the lever 53. The bracket 52 is connected by means of a rod to a lever 54 tending to turn the bracket in the direction of the arrow h, but the face 55 of the finger retains the bracket 52 in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6. The latch 55 is provided with an inclined surface 5 5 cooperating with the inclined surface We of the finger 53 on the arm M, and with a shoulder 5'! with which may engage a pin 58 carried by one of the levers $2.

In the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 6, the surface dab of the finger @3 against which bears the latch 5!, prevents the latch from turning under the action of the weight of the lever 53 and from engaging the pin 53 of the lever d2.

When a hen wants to lay an egg, it will sit down on the perch ii before going into the nest and the perch will swing downward as indicated in dash and dot lines in Fig. 6, while the levers 52 rotate about the shaft 33. One of these levers, bearing on the pin 53, makes the arm M swing into the position shown in dash and dot lines. During this movement the wheels 33 and 35 are rotated by the toothed segments 45 and 46. The wheel 35 keyed to the shaft of the driving roller 2?, rotates this latter as also the rollers 25 in contact with the roller 2'! whereby the paper band 23 is made to advance, while passing between the rollers 26 and 2?. The wheel 33, meshing with the rack 32 carried by the lid 29, moves the rack which brings the lid to its position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 in which this lid covers the paper situated beneath the plate 25. The rails 39 are provided with stops 29a to limit the movement of the lid 29 when the arm M arrives in its elevated position and to prevent the lid from moving too far by the action of its kinetic energy which would bring the rack out of mesh with the wheel 33.

When the hen abandons the perch M, the levers 42 return to their substantially horizontal position owing to the distribution of their weight, but the arm d4 remains in its elevated position, as shown in Fig. 14, because the weight of the lever 54 has turned the bracket 52, the top face 59 of which is placed beneath the finger ll and prevents thus the arm l i from falling down. The bracket 52 is maintained in its position beneath the finger d! by a lever 60 the end 6! of which stops the movement of rotation of the lever 54.

The floor 6 of the passage leading to the nest is provided with a rectangular opening 62. Within this opening there is provided a rocking member 63 fixed to a shaft 66 mounted rotatably between the walls is and M of the frame.

The shaft 64 carries also two bars 65 carrying on their free ends several curved rods forming a grille 66 (Fig. 5), and a counterweight Bl fixed to the shaft on the outside of one of the walls of the frame and which ensures that the rocking member stays in one or the other of two positions indicated in full lines and dash and dot lines in Fig. 1. A second counterweight 61:; serves to balance the weight of the bars 65 and of the grille 66.

When the hen advances towards the nest, it will step on the inclined portion 68 of the rocking member. Under the action of the weight of the hen the rocking member will oscillate, the portion 63 turning downward to bear on the rod i2, so that the portion 39 is now inclined as indicated in dash and dot lines in Fig. 1, while the bars 65 turn also with the shaft 64 v and the grille 65 moves in front of the entrance of the passage, preventing thus another hen from entering into the passage. As long as the hen stays in the nest, the counterweight 61 maintains the rocking member 63, the bars 65 and the grille 66 in the position indicated in dash and dot lines in Fig. 1. At the entrance to the passage, the floor 6 is provided with a downwardly extending flap H! which closes the front portion of the frame of the apparatus and which is cut out in such manner as to permit the passage of the bars 65 and of the grille 65 during the rotation of these members. The rod 12 limits the movement of the rocking member 63 in one direction and the pin H limits the movement of the bars 65 on their downward rotation. As the floor 6 may be fixed at different heights of the frame, according to the rods H and I2 traversing certain holes i5, a series of holes is also provided in the frame for the shaft 84 and for the pin H, so that the rocking member 63, when the floor 6 is moved, may always occupy the same position with respect to the floor 5.

The nest chamber i is provided with an inclined frusto-conical bottom i2. Beneath the hole 2 in the nest, the frame 5 carries an inclined egg chute I4 and Ms. A lid 15 is pivoted above the egg chute M in order to prevent the hen in the nest from looking through the hole 2 and perceiving the lever 39. When the hen lays an egg, this latter falls from the nest through the hole 2, rolls down the egg chute it, swings the lid 15 open, and arrives on the end 16 of the lever (it! which is pivoted on the frame at TI. This lever 66 is subjected to the action of a force, such as that of the weight 18 which maintains the lever in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, where it bears against a pin 19. The weight of the egg rolling on the end 16 of the lever makes this lever swing and the egg falls on the second part 15w, of the egg chute of which the bottom, which is slightly inclined in its rear portion and horizontal in its front portion, is arranged so that the egg may roll slowly towards the door 8! behind which it may be picked The lever 65] (Fig. 15) comprises two rods traversing the shaft 7? on which is fixed a counterweight 18. The end 16 of the lever 66 carries a plate 89 on which rolls the egg, and a stop member 82 prevents the egg from rolling beyond the plate. The inclined bottom 12 of the nest, the egg chute it and Mia, the face of the lid 15 on the side of the hole 2 in the nest, the plate 8%} of the lever 69 and the stop member 82 are coated with a suitable material for absorbing shocks, for example with a layer of rubber. The end 6! of one of the rods of the lever 60 coacts with the lever 5d of the bracket 52. A pin 83 stops the descending movement of the end 16 of the lever 60.

When the egg falls on the lever 60 and the end '16 thereof swings downward, the end 6! acts on the lever 54 (Fig. 14) and turns this lever and the bracket 52 in a direction contrary to that indicated by the arrow h (Fig. 9). The face 59 frees the finger l? of the arm 44 which, under the influence of its weight, falls down into its original position, shown in full lines in Fig. 6. Towards the end of the downwards movement of the arm M, the surface 48a acts on the inclined face 5% of the latch 5! and pushes the latch backwards which releases thus the pin 58 of the lever t2. During the descending movement of the arm it, the toothed segment 45 actuates the wheel 33 which moves the rack 32 and brings the lid 29 into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3.

- The portion of the paper band situated beneath the plate 25 is now exposed and ready to receive an impression.

The printing apparatus which is carried by the hen, is represented in Figs. 17 to 25. This apparatus comprises a support 85 attached to the body of the hen, and a rotatable arm 86 carrying a stamp subjected to the action of a spring tending to maintain it in a certain inclined position (Fig. 25).

The support comprises a member 81 preferably made of sheet steel and of which the two ends are turned up to form two flanges 88 and 89, each of which presents two apertures traversed by threaded rods so and 9!. A curved strap 92, preferably of sheet metal, is fixed to the member Bl. The support is mounted on the back of the hen by the intermediary of this strap and is fixed thereon by means of a supple or substantially resilient attaching means as for example a ribbon, a string, a thread, a leather strap, or rubber band, etc. traversing the holes 93 provided at both ends of the strap 92 and which can be tightened around the hen by means of a clamp $4.

One of the ends of each of the two rods 90 and 9| carries a cross piece 95 and 96, respectively, provided with holes 91 and 98, respectively. The distance between the two cross pieces can be adjusted, according to the size of the hen, by means of nuts 99 by which the rods are secured to the member 81. A ring his is attached to the string #66 so as to be movable along this string and to adjust itself underneath the body of the hen. Two further attaching means of the type of the attachment iii are fixed to this ring and pass between the legs of the hen to be attached to one and the other of the holes 98. These attaching means are also provided with clamps to be adjustable in length and adapt themselves thus to hens of different sizes. A further attaching means mile of the type of the previous ones and also adjustable in length, passes from each hole Eil in the member 95 underneath each wing of the hen to each hole 93, respectively, in the strap 92. Thus the printing member stays surely attached on the back of the hen.

The member 87 is provided with two lateral flanges l! supporting a shaft E92 which carries the arm 86. This arm is preferably constituted by a piece of sheet metal 183 having in cross section the shape of a U of which the two lateral branches are traversed by the shaft I02. At its lower end the member 103 is provided with a lug M turned towards the interior, and the upper end )5 is also turned down at right angles. A shaft I06 is rotatably supported between this, end and the lug I04. The shaft I06 carries a fork [Bl for supporting a cylindrical stamp I08 rotatable about the axis I085. This fork comprises a plate I09 fixed to the shaft H36 and two lateral branches H0 carrying the stamp. The shaft I06 is secured to the member 2'63 by a pin III. A character or number corresponding to the identification sign of the hen is formed several times around the surface of the stamp.

At about the middle of its length the member IE3 is provided with two flanges H2 turned over at right angles towards each other; these flanges form a stop for one of the ends of a coil spring H3 of which the other end bears against the surface of the supporting member 81. This spring has therefore the tendency to urge the arm 86 in the direction indicated'by the arrow i (Fig. 20). The end ll l of the U-shaped piece .33 however bears on the flange 88 of the support 81 and stops the movement of the arm 86.

The passage leading to the'nest has such a height that the hen must crouch while traversing it. The stamp H18 at the end of the arm 86 carried by the hen bears then against the top wall of the passage and against the various members of the recording device. It has been seen that when the hen steps towards the nest, the lid 29 covers the paper band beneath the plate 25. The stamp can therefore not touch the paper and no impression will be recorded while the hen is entering into the nest. It is only when an egg has been laid, whereby to operate the lever and release the holding means,

as at 52, and the finger 4'! of the lever 44, that the paper band can be uncovered below the plate 25, for receiving an impression by the stamp carried by the hen.

When the hen leaves the nest after having laid an egg, the stamp rolls first over the topwall H5 or" the passage, then over an inking cushion H6 which may be supported in transverse guiding rails Hl so as to be easily removed and replaced. During contact with the cushion, the stamp is inked and as the hen advances, it rolls over the paper exposed beneath the plate 25 and the characters formed on the stamp are impressed several times on the paper. When the hen leaves the nest without having laid an egg, the paper band stays covered by the lid 29 and the stamp is unable to mark the paper.

It has been seen that when the hen is in the nest, the rocking member 63 is in its position indicated in dash and dot lines in Fig. 1, the grille 66 closing the entrance into the passage. When the hen leaves the nest, it steps on the raised portion 69 of the rocking member whereby the levers and the grille 65 are lowered, and the hen may leave the passage. All the members of I the recording device and of its actuating mechanism are now again in their original position.

As it can happen that a hen while traversing the passage leading to the nest, holds its body in a manner that the arm 86 is not disposed in a longitudinal vertical plane, the stamp I08 is mounted on the arm 36 so that it can turn about the shaft I06. In this manner it is always sure that the contact between the stamp and the recording paper is continuously existing over the entire length of the cylindrical stamp. For this is I purpose the plate IDS is fixed to the shaft I06 which can turn on the member 503. In this plate are provided two slots H8 each of which being traversed by one end of the springs I I9 which are fixed with their outer end to lugs I28 of the member H13. When the arm 86 is situated in an inclined longitudinal plane (Fig. 24) and the spring H3 applies the stamp me against the top wall b of the passage (Figs. 16 and 24) this wall makes the stamp pivot about the shaft IE6 against the action of the springs H9 so that a correct impression of the characters of the stamp is always ensured. As soon as the arm 86 is not pressed any longer against the wall b, the springs H3 and H9 act to return the arm 85 and the stamp I08 into their initial positions. It is naturally necessary that the springs lit be weaker than the spring H3, so that, when the stamp makes contact with the wall I), it turns first about the axis I in order to be correctly applied against the wall, before this wall swings the arm downwards against the action of the spring 553. The movement of the arm 85 against the action of the spring H3 is limited by the flange 89 against which bear the two flanges H2 of the arm.

Above the walls It and I? of the passage leading to the nest, there are disposed two longitudinal ribs I28 (Fig. 16) which diminish the width of the passage near the top and together with the arm 86 prevent the hen from touching the top wall I) of the passage and the members of the recording device with its back. These longitudinal ribs also limit the lateral play of the arm 85 of the printing device and prevent the stamp 68 from coming into contact with the lateral walls I289- of the passage above the ribs I28 since such contact could be harmful for the free movement of the stamp I88 about the shaft I85.

It has been seen that when the hen is in the nest and before it has laid an egg, the arm it, the perch 4i and the levers 42 are in the position shown in Fig. 14, these levers being locked in substantially horizontal position by the latch 5i which retains the pin 58 of one of the levers i2.

When the egg falls from the nest, the lever 50 releases the arm i and this arm releases at the same time the pin 58 of the lever A2. The perch AI, however, is not yet able to move at this moment and to actuate the arm it for operating again the recording device, because the levers &2 stay locked by a second locking device represented in Figs. 6 and 7.

At the interior of one of the lateral walls of the frame 5 there is pivoted an arm I2I on a pin I22 and carrying a latch 523 which traverses a hole I24 in the wall. The weight of the arm with its latch is distributed in such manner that the arm tends to turn in the direction of the arrow is (Fig. '7). The turned up edge I25 of the latch prevents however the bolt from falling out of the hole into the interior of the frame.

At the moment when the hen traversing the passage to enter into the nest makes the rocking member 63 turn, and the levers G5 are raised, a finger E25 of one of the levers 55 acts on the arm I2: and pushes the latch I23 outwardly through the wall. This latch places itself above the lever 32 of the perch and prevents therefore the lever from pivoting. The lever 42 stays thus locked until the hen leaves the nest and actuates again the rocking member 63 to make the levers 65 turn downwardly. The arm I2! is then released and owing to its weight falls into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 7.

Owing to the relatively light weight of the egg which must actuate the levers 60, these have to be very sensitive because they are to a large extent responsible for the correct operation of the apparatus. As shown in Fig. 15, these levers may be carried by two pivot screws I2? screwed into the walls 53 and Id of the frame and cooperating with the two conical ends of the shaft 'I'I for reducing the friction as much as possible.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction as represented on the drawings, which are given. by way of example only, and that various modifications of the construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The nest may be constructed in different manners. As in practical use several of the described nests may be placed one on top of the other, the inclined bottom 72 is preferably removably attached to the upper portion of the nest. When necessary it is then always possible to remove the inclined bottom from the side of the superposed frames.

The walls IS and it may be provided at their top and bottom edges with fastening flanges I29 permitting the frames to be secured to the ground, for example to the floor of a poultry house, and to have the bottom of one frame secured to the top of another frame.

Longitudinal slots I35! for illuminating the passage have been provided in the two lateral walls l6 and I'l thereof. Similar openings I3! are provided near the bottom of the frame and in the door 8! for illuminating the egg chute Ma.

A modification of the device for opening and closing the passage leading to the nest is represented in Fig. 26. The rocking member I32 is placed near the outside entrance of the passage and is provided with a toothed segment I33 meshing with a pinion E34 itself in mesh with a sec-- ond pinion I35 of which the axis I35 is fixed to levers IS'I carrying the grille I35 and to the counterweight I39, which ensures that the rocking member E32 stays in one or the other of its two extreme positions shown in full and in dotted lines in Fig. 26.

This construction provides the advantage that the rocking member is actuated by the hen almost as soon as the hen has entered into the passage, and only just before it leaves the passage on its way back from the nest.

The hen, stepping on the rocking member, moves the segment i33 downwards, which turns the wheel I86 actuating the wheel I35 to raise the levers i3? and the grille I33 into the position shown in dotted lines, thus closing the entrance into the passage, while, when the hen returns from the nest, its weight acts to move the members in the opposite direction and the passage is again opened.

The ratio of gearing between the pinions and the segment will be chosen in such manner that the angle through which turn the levers I31 be greater than the angle through which turns the rocking member I32.

The floor 5 and the walls It and I1 could be rigidly and permanently secured together and to the frame. The apparatus as a whole would then be made in different sizes having a wider or narrower, and a higher or lower passage, in order to be used for different kinds and sizes of domestic fowls.

In order to prevent sliding of the feet of the fowl while traversing the passage leading to the nest, the floor 6 can be roughened, as for instance provided with transverse groovings MI].

The second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figs. 27 to comprises also a frame 5 which supports a nest I provided in its bottom with an opening 2 through which falls the egg laid by a hen.

The passage leading to the nest comprises a fioor'6 and lateral movable walls I6 and I1 for varying the width of the passage, and these walls may be rendered adjustable in the same manner as the corresponding walls in the embodiment of the invention first described. A casing I9, closing the passage on the top, contains the recording mechanism.

In front of the entrance to the passage leading to the nest, the frame 5 carries on supporting arms, as M210, a stationary perch MI, on which the hen sits down before entering into the passage. Vertical shafts I53 turning in bearings I43a and I43b are disposed within the passage on either side and near the entrance thereof.

' Each one of these shafts carries a lid I52 normally maintained in the position represented in Fig. 30. The two lids form together a door for the passage. When a hen will lay an egg and desires to enter into the passage, its body pushes the lids which turn with their pivots and this movement of the lids actuates the driving arm I52 of the recording device by means of the following mechanism.

A finger. M5 is fixed to each shaft I43 and acts on a lever I mounted loosely on the shaft I43. This lever is rotatably connected to one end of a rod I46 of which the other end is connected to a link I41 turning on a pivot M'Ta carried by a support Idle secured to the frame. Each rod I46 is provided with two fingers I58 engaging between themselves a bar I49. An arm I56 is secured to the bar I49 and connected to a shaft I5I pivoted between the walls I3 and IQ of the frame and carrying the driving arm I52. This arm is provided with two toothed segments I53 and I54 the teeth of which, meshing with the teeth of the wheels 33 and 35, respectively, of the recording device, may be like the teeth of the segments 45, 46.

The lower end of each shaft I46 is fixed to a lever I66 and each lever I66 is connected to one end of a retracting spring I65 of which the other end is attached to a hook I61 carried by the frame, as shown in Fig. 29.

Two further vertical shafts I69 carrying each a lid I68 and turning in bearings I16 and I II are disposed at the rear end of the passage near the entrance into the nest I. The portion of each of the shafts I69 extending below the floor 6 carries a finger I12 fixed to the shaft and capable of acting on a lever I13 loose on the shaft and provided with two arms I13a and i136. A rod I11 is connected with one end to each lever I13 while it is connected near its other end to a lever I18 fixed to a shaft I19. The two rods I11 are thus rigid one with the other. A collar I86 is fixed to each shaft I53 and provided with a recess into which can penetrate-the end of the rods I11 to act as bolts and prevent the shafts I43 and consequently the lids I52 from turning.

A lever I15 is secured to the lower end of each shaft I69 and is connected to one end of a retracting spring I14 of which the other end is attached to a hook I16 carried by the frame, as shownin Fig. 31..

Normally the rods 511 are in the position repre sented'in' Fig. 33- and the collars I86 are disem gaged and the doors I42 free to turn. When a hen enters into the passage after leaving the perch MI, the body of the hen pushes the doors I52 which, by the intermediary of the shafts I43,

actuate the fingers I44 which in turn move "the levers I45 and consequently the rods I46 and the link I 41.

to engage itself. During the movement of the arm I52 the two toothed segments I53 and I54 have turned the wheels 33 and 65 which in turn have actuated the members of the recording device in the same manner as has been described with reference to Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6.

When the hen continues to step towards the nest, the arm I52 stays locked in its elevated position, but the springs I65 return the lids I42 to their initial position of rest; Before entering into the nest the hen must open the lids I68. These lids turning with their shafts I69, move the fingers I12 which act on the arms I131, of the levers I13 and turn these levers into the position shown in Fig. 30. This movement of the levers makes the rods I11 advance to engage into the collars I 86 of the shafts I43 and to lock the lids I62 against rotation. The entrance'door is therefore closed and it is impossible for another hen to enter into the passage.

When the hen-in the nest has laid an egg, this egg falls through theopening 2 of the nest into the egg chute I65 and after having rolled through the inclined part H of the egg chute, it arrives on the horizontal portion I62 where it meets the lid I59 secured to a horizontal axis I58 fixed to a lever I51 which is connected by a rod I56 to the pawl I55. The egg turns the lid I59 producing thus, by the intermediary of the lever I51 and of the rod I56, the disengagement of the pawl I whereby the arm I52 is released and falls down into its normal position. In the same'manner as has been described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention, the returning movement of the arm I52 actuates again the recording device to expose the record receiving portion of the paper band so that it will be marked by i the stamp carried by the hen leaving the nes When the hen in the nest has not laid an egg, the lid I56 is not actuated and the arm I52 does not return or fall down, the pawl staying engaged. Then when the hen leaves the nest the stamp carried by the hen cannot mark the record receiving portion of the paper as this latter stays covered.

While leaving the nest, the hen opens the lids I68 in the opposite direction and by the intermediary of the fingers I12 and of the levers I13 the locking rods I11 are disengaged from the collars I 86, the rods and the levers returning into their initial position shown in Fig. 33, permitting thus the lids I42 to turn freely with their shafts in order to let the hen out of the passage. After the egg has turned the lid I56 it continues to roll on the horizontal portion I 64 of the egg chute where it can be picked up.

Figs. 34 and 35 show a modification of a por-' The rods I56 move the bar I49 of the lever I55 by the intermediary of thefingers through the opening in the nest on the inclined portion of the egg chute and arrives on the tilting platform 32 fixed on a horizontal axis 533 and maintained in substantially horizontal position indicated in Fig. 34, by means of the counterweight I85. Under the action of the weight of the egg, the platform $32 tilts and makes the egg fall in the portion ten of the egg chute where it can be picked up. The tilting platform being fixed to the shaft l83 and to the lever W6 connected to the rod iB'l, pulls this rod in order to turn the pawl W5 and to release the arm 652.

The connection between the rod lEifi or it? and the lever P51 or I85 must have a certain play in order to permit the engagement of the pawl when the arm it! is raised.

The modified apparatus illustrated in Figs. to 45 comprises also a passageway leading to the nest and of which the floor 28%] is provided with a rectangular opening 2% in which is mounted. a rocking member 2M. A stationary perch 2st is carried by the floor which comprises lateral ribs 292 provided with holes 2533. Series of holes 284 in the wall of the frame 5 permit variation of the height of the floor supported by the bolts 2&5 traversing the holes 2% and one or the other of the holes 2%. The rocking member 29?, provided with ribs 258, is mounted on the axis 2% fixed to the door and traversing the ribs 292 and 2H3. A rod 2&2 is pivoted to a flange 2i i of the rocking member 253?.

The rod 252 actuates a lever 2l3 pivoting on the axis 2H1 carried by the frame 5. A second lever 2H3, carried by the axis 255, is connected to the rod 2 58. A pawl M5 is mounted on an axis 255s (Fig. 43) carried by the arm 211 (Fig. 38) of the lever are and drives the lever 216 when the arm Zl'i is raised to its elevated position as shown in Fig. 43. For this purpose the pawl is provided with a curved portion 2l5b engaging a projection 26% of the lever 216. The arm it! is provided with a stop pin 2 55s for the pawl 2 it.

The upper portion of the frame 5 contains, as in the previous examples, the recording device. A two-armed lever 2%9 can turn on the axis 226. One of the arms is connected to the rod are and the other arm actuates on the one hand the paper cover or lid 222i by means of the rod 220, and on the other hand the spool 225, through the intermediary of the pawl 222 pivoted on the arm, and of the ratchet 223 provided with three equidistant teeth. A spring 2223. ensures the contact of the pawl 222 with the ratchet wheel. A retaining pawl 222b maintains the ratchet in the position in which it has been brought by the lever 2&9. A pin 22% on the ratchet drives the spool 225.

The operating rod 22% is connected to a lug 221 of the lid 22!. The shaft 228 carries the recording paper roll 229, which is controlled by a brake, as shown in Fig. 36. The paperoand 230 rolls off from the roll 22% and passes beneath the guiding plates 235 and 23% and above the lid 22! to roll up on the spool 225.

Before the entrance of a hen into the passageway the mechanism is in the position illustrated in Figs. 36, 3'7 and 38. The hen enters into the passage after having left the fixed perch 253i and steps successively over the floor 26E over the horizontal portion and over the inclined portion of the rocking member 2%? which owing to the weight of the hen is made to tilt. The shock absorbing cushion of the rocking member abuts without noise and shocks against the bar 244. The portion of the rocking member which was formerly inclined is now horizontal while the other portion is inclined. During this movement of the rocking member the rod 2l2 has turned the lever H3 and the counterweight 2d! fixed to the lever is arranged to maintain the rocking member in one or the other of its two extreme positions. The lever 2l3, acting through the intermediary of the link 2223, has raised the grille 239 constituted by two bars sliding in guides 260 and has closed the entrance into the passage. On the other hand, by the intermediary of the pawl H5, pivoted on the arm ill of the lever 2H3, this lever has raised the lever 21%. The surface Zlfib of this latter lever, having encountered the surface 2321; of a pawl 232 pivoted on the axis 2322., has progressively pushed this pawl backwards until it has passed the surface 2312b permtting thus the pawl to return into its initial position and to engage underneath the projection Zita of the lever Eli: which is thus maintained in its position.

During this movement of the lever Elt the rod M8 has turned the lever 2E9 which, by the intermediary of the rod 225, has pushed the lid 22E into the position in which it covers the recording band 238 exposed beneath the plate 23!. The pawl 222, sliding over the ratchet 223, engages with the following tooth of the ratchet which is maintained immobile during this movement as also the spool 2.25, by the retaining pawl 222b- When the hen continues to step towards the nest and leaves the rocking member, the system formed by the rocking member 261, rod ZIZ, lever 2 l counterweight 2&1, grille 239, is maintained in its new position. When the hen has entered into the nest and lays an egg this latter falls through the opening in the nest into the egg chute and rolling down the egg chute encounters a lid 23% fixed to its axis and turns the lid and the axis which, by intermediary of the arm 235 fixed to the axis 23?, and of the rod 334, one end of the rod being mounted on a pin carried by said arm, as shown in Fig. i l (see also Fig. 36), the other end of the rod being mounted on a pin 2320 of the pawl 232. This structure and action produces the release of the pawl 232, so that the lever 2H5 and the rod 2!? fall down. said latter lever being disengaged from the pawl 232, and the recording device is actuated, through the lever M9, the weight of the rod M8 and of the lever M6, being suitably established for this purpose. Thus, the lever 21%, rod 243, lever 2.19, and its pawl 222, rod 22%, and lid 22!, occupy again their initial positions illustrated in Figs. 35, 3'7 and 33, the lever 25% bearing on the stop 248, and the recording band is exposed for receiving an impression. While returning into its initial position, the pawl 222 has turned the ratchet 223 which drives the spool 2223 by its pin 22d and produces thus the advance of the paper band 236. During this movement, the system which includes the rocking lever 29?, grille 239, has remained in its position in which the grille closes the entrance to the passage.

While leaving the nest chamber, the hen steps successively over the floor Elli), over the horizontal portion and over the inclined portion of the rocking member 291', producing thus the rotation of the rocking member in the direction opposite to that in which it was turned while the hen has entered into the nest, and the shock absorbing cushion 343 abuts against the bar 2 35. The system which includes the rocking member,

pawl 215, rod 238, and

grille, is now again in its initial position illustrated in Figs. 36 and 38, opening the passage to When the lever 213 moves position, the portion H51) When the hen which has entered into the nest, did not lay an egg, the lid 236 will not be actuated and the pawl 23 lever Zifiwhich does fore covered by the lid 2M and cannot be marked by the stamp carried as it leaves the nest.

While I have shown and described several preby the hen parting from the scope of the following I claim:

to be acted upon by nest.

4. An identification nest for fowls nesting the rocking member to the door for moving the door to close the entrance to the passagepivoted member adapted to be laid by its weight for exposing the is acted upon by the fowl as it leaves the nest chamber.'

moving the rocking member in one direction and opened upon the fowl leaving the nest chamber and moving the rocking member in the other direction, a pivoted member adapted to be moved by the egg laid by the fowl, and means operatively connecting the pivoted member to the locking means to release the locking means upon movement of said pivoted member, thereby permitting said arm to fall down under the action of its weight to retract said lid from the record receiving band, the band being acted upon by the fowl as it leaves the nest chamber.

5. In an identification nest for domestic "owl: comprising a nest chamber, a passageway leading to the nest chamber, door controlling the entrance into the passageway and adapted to be moved by a fowl as it enters into the passageway, record receiving means located he passageway, a lid adapted to cover or to expose said record receiving means; means operatively connecting said door and said lid whereby the lid is moved to cover the record receiving means upon movement of the door caused by the fowl entering into the passageway, a rocking member within the passageway adapted to be moved by the fowl traversing the passageway, a bolt member operatively connected to said rocking member and cooperating with the door to lock the door in closed position upon movement of the rocking member in one direction and to release the door upon movement of the rocking member in the other direction, a pivoted member adapted to be moved by the egg laid by the fowl, and means operatively connecting the pivoted member and said operating means whereby the lid is moved to expose the record receiving means upon movement of the pivoted. member caused by the egg, said record receiving means being then adapted to be acted upon by the fowl as it leaves the nest chamber.

7. In an identification nest for domestic fowls comprising a nest chamber, a passageway leading to the nest chamber, a door controlling the entrance to the passageway and adapted to be moved by a fowl as it enters into the passageway, a record receiving band movable through the passageway, a lid adapted to cover or to expose the record receiving band; means operatively connecting said door to said lid and to the record receiving band whereby the lid is moved to cover the record receiving band and the record receiving band is made to advance upon movement of the door caused by a fowl entering into the passageway, a rocking member within the passageway, a bolt member operatively connected to said rocking member and cooperating with the door to lock the door in closed position upon movement of the rocking member in one direction and to release the door upon movement of the rocking member in the other direction, a pivoted member adapted to be moved by the egg laid by the fowl, and means operatively connecting the pivoted me nber and the first mentioned means whereby the lid is moved to expose the record receiving band upon movement of the pivoted member caused by the egg, said band being then adapted to be acted upon by the fowl as it leaves the nest chamber.

8. An identification nest for domestic fowls comprising a nest chamber, a passageway leading to the nest chamber, a rocking member within said passageway, said rocking member being movable under the weight of a fowl and being adapted to occupy either of two positions, a door controlling the entrance to the passageway and operatively connected to said rocking member whereby the door is closed upon the fowl passing to the nest chamber and moving the rocking member in one direction and opened upon the fowl leaving the nest chamber and moving the rocking member in the other direction, record receiving means located in the passageway, a lid movable to cover or to expose said means, lid actuating means operatively connected to the rocking member whereby the lid is moved to cover the record receiving means upon the fowl passing to the nest chamber and moving the rockmember in one direction, means for locking said lid actuating means against the action of its weight in the position in which the lid covers the record receiving means, a pivoted member adapted to be actuated by the egg laid by the fowl, and means operatively connecting said pivoted member and said locking means whereby the locking means is moved to release the lid actuating means upon movement of the pivoted member caused by an egg, said lid actuating means being moved under its weight when released to make the lid expose the record receiving means, the last mentioned means being acted upon by the fowl as it leaves the nest chamber.

9. An identification nest for domestic fowls comprising a nest chamber, a passageway leading to the nest chamber, a rocking member within said passageway, said rocking member being movable under the weight of a fowl and arranged to occupy either of two positions, a record re ceiving band movable through the passageway, a lid movable to cover or to expose the record receiving band, means operatively connecting said rocking member to said lid and to the record receiving band, said means being actuated upon the fowl passing to the nest chamber and moving the rocking member in one direction whereby the lid will be moved to cover the record receiving band, locking means for holding said actuating means against the action of its weight in the position in which the record receiving band is covered by said lid, and a pivoted member adapted to be actuated by the egg laid by the fowl, said pivoted member being connected to said locking means whereby the locking means is released upon movement of the pivoted member caused by an egg to permit said actuating means to move owing to the action of its weight to thereby advance the record receiving band and to move the lid for exposing the record receiving band, said band being acted upon by the fowl as it leaves the nest chamber.

10. An identification apparatus for hens comprising a nest chamber having an entrance and exit passageway communicating therewith, a record receiving device disposed in the passageway, a movable lid for said device, means cooperating with the lid and operable by a hen as she enters the chamber so as to cover said device, a pivot member, a lever pivoted on said member and adapted to be moved by an egg laid by the hen, and means cooperating with said lever and the first mentioned means whereby to move the lid for exposing said device, so that the latter may be acted upon by the hen as she leaves the chamber.

11. An identification apparatus for hens including in combination a housing comprising a nest chamber and having an entrance and exit passage including a footway and having a relatively low top, a record receiving device carried by said top and having an oppositely movable bottom cover, cover operating elements adapted to be actuated by a hen on her way to the chamber so as to cover said device, egg-operated means pivotally mounted in said housing and having a portion disposed below said chamber, and means operatively associating another portion of said egg-operated means and said elements, whereby when an egg laid by the hen engages the first mentioned portion said cover may be moved backwardly so that said device may then be acted upon by the hen as she leaves said chamber.

12. An identification nest for fowls. comprising in combination a housing including a nest chamber and having a passage communicating therewith, said passage including a footway for a fowl and having a relatively low top, said chamber having an egg delivery opening therein; a record receiving device carried by said top and having an oppositely movable cover therebelow, cover operating elements adapted to be actuated by a fowl on its way to the chamber so as to move the cover into covering position, egg-operated means pivotally mounted in said housing and having a portion disposed below said opening; and means operatively associated with another portion of said egg-operated means and with said elements, whereby when an egg laid by the fowl reaches the first mentioned portion said cover may be moved backwardly to uncover said device, so that the latter may then be acted upon by the fowl as it leaves said chamber.

13. An identification nest for fowls comp-rising in combination a. nest chamber having a passageway communicating therewith, said chamber having an egg delivery opening, a record receiving device disposed in the passageway and having an oppositely movable cover; an entrance control door; a pivoted perch disposed at the entrance to the passageway, means operatively associating said perch and said cover, said means including a pivoted arm, so that the weight of a fowl in passing over the perch may raise said arm and move the cover into covering position; locking means for holding said arm raised; an oppositely rockable member disposed in the passageway, means connecting said member and the door, so that as the fowl passes along the passageway said member may be rocked in one direction to close the door behind, the fowl; said member being also rockable in the opposite direction to open the door as the fowl leaves the chamber; egg-operated means including a pivoted lever having one end disposed below said opening, means operatively associating the opposite end of said lever and said locking means, so that as an egg laid by the fowl drops on the first mentioned end said locking means may be released to gravitationally drop said arm for .moving the cover to uncover said device, whereby said device may then be acted upon by the fowl as it leaves said chamber.

14. A trap nest and identification means for fowls comprising in combination a nest chamber having a passage leading thereto; record receiving means disposed at the top of the passage and having a movable covering lid, means operable by a fowl, as it walks inwardly through the entrance end of the passage for moving the lid forwardly to cover said receiving means; a rocker forming a part of the floor of the passage towards the other end thereof, said rocker having passage closing means attached thereto, so that the passage may be closed as the fowl enters the chamber, said rocker adapted also to move said passage closing means for opening the passage as the fowl leaves the chamber; and means operable by an egg laid by the fowl for moving said lid backwardly, so that said receiving means may then be acted upon by a fowl that lays an egg. 7

PHILEMON DUARTE DALMEIDA. 

